The walls are returning. Soon. I promise. After many months of demolition and preparation, the new brick walls for the sanctuary are almost here. Hasn’t it been an interesting time for the church? Our neighborhood and surrounding community have remarked to me often about the changes, many asking what it is we’re doing. It has been a great opportunity to talk about the church’s mission, work, faith, and future.
Being a church laid bare — a church “without walls” — has become a time of serious reflection about who we are and what we do. I often ask myself what it would mean for Yates to be a church without walls even after the walls go back up. What do we need to do to have a clear view out into the world — and so the world has a clear view in? Have we cleared away the unnecessary barriers that block a clear view of Jesus at the center of everything we do? How can we uncover the light of Christ that shines so brightly here so others can find their way to a personal relationship with Jesus and grow within this community of believers in ever-maturing faith? We still have much to discern and decide!
I’m very excited that Yates will be dedicating the summer months to reflecting together on the decisions we make and God’s will. While these are timeless topics for Christians, they are quite timely for Yates. In June and July, we will read John Ortberg’s book, All the Places to Go: How Will You Know?, together. Many of our adult Sunday School classes, the Wednesday night adult Bible study, and several home-based small groups are offering opportunities for anyone and everyone to connect. I urge you to consider being part of one — or more — of these group experiences. They are chances to get to know others better, share questions and discoveries, pray for one another, and orient around some common thoughts and themes.
The overarching theme is that of the open door, leaning heavily on Revelation 3:8: “See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” The doors God opens for us are the pathways to life with God — opportunities provided by God to act with and for him. Walking through the doors God opens is no guarantee that the journey will be easy or even successful (however you define success), but God does promise that others will be blessed by our efforts. God uses even our imperfect selves to accomplish his purposes. That is good news, indeed.
Many decisions have been made to bring Yates to this point in time, but a great many more are yet to come. Many of those decisions will be crucial if we are to live fully into God’s will for Yates. Of course, people make decisions every day. One study suggests that the average person makes about seventy conscious decisions a day — that’s 25,550 decisions a year, or 1,788,500 over seventy years. Most will seem small, but only God knows the eternal impact each one will have. My prayer is that this season of study will help form us into people of wisdom who step out in faith, unafraid and full of excitement for what lies ahead — for it is God’s future.
I look forward to this season of study and reflection with you!
Grace & Peace,